So you’re 40-something, female and finding whiskers in weird places on your face? Fret not. Sip these and forget the horror.
Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $59.99
Oh lordy, what a wine! With its alluring aromas of grilled grapefruit, roast peach, toasted almonds and a hint of smoke, I struggled to peel the glass away from my nose for long enough to actually put any in my gob! Thankfully I persisted, because it’s ultra-fresh, beautifully layered with banging citrus and succulent stonefruit and follows through with a fat, fleshy finish. Glorious.
Sip with: Mango & lime-drizzled chicken drums
www.vidal.co.nz
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27
Throwing themselves headlong into organic viticulture, Christine Kernohan and her team of sauvignon sensei’s are reaping the rewards right here. Softly, softly is how this super-floral example plays out, with hints of fresh lawn clippings, basil, sweet pea and some plucky, preserved lemon layers give it lusciousness, length and complexity.
Sip with: steamed snapper with lemongrass and coriander
www.gladstonevineyard.co.nz
Akarua Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 $43
Crafted from fruit sourced from their Felton Road and Cairnmuir vineyards, after all the medals this wine has hauled in, it deserves to be given ‘national treasure’ status surely. Clove, mace, baked cherry, anise and buckets of bouncy, plush acidity and cuddly, furry tannins make this a ‘must try before you die’ wine. It’s darn delicious.
Sip with: Spicy Lamb Saag
www.akarua.com
